Booking Notes
Please read these notes carefully before your Te Araroa Whanganui River Journey, as they contain important information about how this section of the trail operates.
Before You Reach the River
Contacting Us
Once you arrive in Taumarunui, please contact Owhango Adventures via:
✔ Email - info@owhangoadventures.co.nz
✔ WhatsApp - +61408192429
✔ Phone call - +64274567386
✔ Text message - +64274567386
Please provide:
Your name
Group size
Approximate arrival dates
Estimated Whakahoro departure date
This allows us to coordinate your food storage, equipment, and river departure logistics.
Grocery Shopping & Food Storage
Before continuing your Te Araroa walk south, complete your grocery shopping at New World Taumarunui for the Whanganui River section of your journey.
We will meet you at New World Taumarunui and collect your groceries directly from you.
Your supplies will then be securely stored at our Owhango base in:
✔ Dry storage
✔ Industrial chiller
✔ Commercial freezer
depending on your requirements.
Free Camping at Owhango
When passing through Owhango during your Te Araroa walk, hikers are welcome to camp free of charge at our Owhango base.
Facilities available include:
✔ Showers
✔ Toilets
✔ Free WiFi
✔ Lounge area
✔ BBQ facilities
✔ Microwave
✔ Jug and toaster
✔ Charging facilities
This provides a convenient place to rest, recharge devices, reorganize gear, and prepare for the next section of the trail.
Two River Departure Options
Option 1 – Continue Walking to Whakahoro
Continue hiking from National Park / Waimarino to Whakahoro over the following days.
We will meet you at Whakahoro with:
✔ Your groceries
✔ Canoe
✔ Paddling equipment
✔ Dry barrels
✔ River maps
At Whakahoro we will:
Conduct a full safety briefing
Assist with packing dry barrels
Explain river logistics and safety procedures
Provide river maps and tide information
You will then begin your self-guided Whanganui River Journey.
Option 2 – Shuttle Back to Owhango
If preferred, we can collect hikers from National Park / Waimarino and return you to our Owhango base.
You may then:
✔ Camp free of charge at our base
✔ Reorganize equipment
✔ Prepare for the river section
The following morning, you will travel with us to Whakahoro to begin the river journey.
During the River Journey
✔ This is a self-guided freedom hire canoe journey
✔ Customers are responsible for managing their own safety while on the river
✔ All personal gear and food supplies travel with you during the river section
✔ A full safety briefing and paddling instruction session is provided before departure
✔ All paddlers must wear the supplied lifejacket / PFD at all times while on the river
Arrival in Whanganui
At the completion of the river journey:
✔ Pull the canoe into the designated grassed area in Whanganui
✔ Leave all supplied equipment underneath the canoe as instructed
✔ Continue your Te Araroa journey south
DOC Accommodation Bookings
⚠ DOC huts and campsites must be booked separately by customers prior to departure.
We can provide:
✔ Recommended itineraries
✔ Suggested overnight stops
✔ DOC booking information
✔ Paddling distances
✔ River maps and tide timetables
upon request.
Weather & River Conditions
⚠ River journeys are subject to weather, river levels, and safety conditions
⚠ Owhango Adventures may delay, postpone, or cancel departures if conditions are considered unsafe
⚠ If conditions improve, departures may be delayed or rescheduled to the following day
⚠ If Owhango Adventures cancels the trip and postponement is not possible, a full refund will be provided
Additional Costs
⚠ Any additional shuttle, recovery, evacuation, or jet boat assistance required due to weather, fatigue, injury, or personal choice will be at the customer’s cost.
Important Information
✔ There is little to no cellphone reception across much of the Whanganui River Journey
✔ Swimming ability is strongly recommended
✔ Moderate fitness is required
✔ Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited during the journey
✔ We strongly recommend carrying an Emergency Locator Beacon (PLB) for remote travel
✔ Group pricing may be available for groups larger than 6 people
✔ Set departure dates apply for this service
Thank you for choosing Owhango Adventures to assist with your Te Araroa Whanganui River Journey.
Cancellation Policy
✔ Owhango Adventures strongly recommends arranging travel insurance to cover cancellations, delays, weather disruptions, or unexpected changes to your Te Araroa journey.
✔ Customers will receive a 100% refund if cancellation is made more than 72 hours prior to departure.
✔ Customers will receive a 50% refund if cancellation is made within 72 hours of departure.
✔ Customers will receive a 100% refund if the river journey is cancelled by Owhango Adventures due to unsafe weather, river levels, or safety conditions.
✔ If weather or river conditions require postponement, customers may transfer their booking to an alternative available departure date.
✔ Genuine medical cancellations may receive a 100% refund provided:
A valid medical certificate is supplied; and
The refund request is submitted within 2 weeks of the certificate being issued.
✔ Medical refunds apply only to:
The person named on the medical certificate; and
One support person travelling within the same booking.
⚠ Once the river journey has commenced, refunds are not available for unused services, early exits, weather interruptions during the journey, fatigue, or change of mind.
⚠ Any additional shuttle, recovery, evacuation, jet boat assistance, or transport required due to injury, fatigue, weather conditions, or personal circumstances will be at the customer’s expense unless otherwise agreed.
⚠ Grocery storage and logistical support are provided specifically around booked departure dates. Significant changes to arrival dates or schedules should be communicated as early as possible.
⚠ Owhango Adventures reserves the right to delay, postpone, modify, or cancel departures where necessary for safety reasons including weather, river levels, operational requirements, or trail access conditions.
